Winners of 2004 International Poster Contest Selected

UNITED NATIONS, New York, 9 February 2005—Winners of the 2004 International Poster Contest, organized by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, for young artists worldwide, have been selected. International winners from five age groups were chosen from more than 160 entries that had won national contests in 40 countries.

The grand prize went to Simeon Sesay of Sierra Leone, who also came first in the 20-year and older age group.

The 2004 contest’s theme was, “Keeping the Promise: ICPD at Ten”. The contest invited young artists from around the world to celebrate the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development through posters depicting women and girls enjoying good health, education and economic opportunity. Each year since 1992, the UNFPA contest has highlighted a specific theme to increase awareness and understanding of the links between population and development.

Design themes for 2004 asked contestants to “imagine the future,” where “a girl born today in the developing world enjoys better health prospects than a girl born 10 years ago;” depict “a mother’s promise” to her children of love, safety, shelter, food, good health and education; and “celebrate equality and empowerment” by “empowering women with rights and choices”.

Winning designs from the national contests were sent to UNFPA Headquarters for the international selection, and winners were chosen based on the originality, creativity and message of their work.

In the 6-to-9-year-old category, Israa Khaled Mohamed Ibrahim of Egypt came first; Lorena Zhuli of Albania was second; and the third position went to Tania Muenala of Ecuador.

In the 10-12 age group, the first place went to Boon Yik Chung of Malaysia; the second to Panupong Tearprasong of Thailand; and the third to Minerva Elizabeth Martinez Alba of Mexico.

In the 13-15 category, Jonathan G. Torres Moreno of Mexico came first; Ploypailin Thongvilaipan of Thailand, second; and B.L. Eranga Harshani Ariyawansha of Sri Lanka, third.

In the 16-19 category, Iswanjono of Indonesia came first; Jimmy Nzecko of the Central African Republic was second; and Jo So Yon of the Democratic Republic of Korea, third.

Among the 20-year-old and higher category, Simeon Sesay of Sierra Leone came first; Maimounota Traore of Burkina Faso, second; and Louem Lorn of Cambodia, third.

Certificates will be awarded to all contestants whose works were submitted for the international selection, while art supplies, in addition to special certificates, will be given to international winners.

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UNFPA is the world’s largest multilateral source of population assistance. Since it became operational in 1969, the Fund has provided substantial assistance to developing countries, at their request, to address their population and development needs. Making motherhood safer for all women is at the heart of UNFPA’s mandate.

For more information, please contact Christian Del Sol at delsol@unfpa.org, +1-212-297-5032; or Omar Gharzeddine, +1 (212) 297-5028, gharzeddine@unfpa.org.